Jordanian soldiers keep watch in the capital Amman as Jordan takes measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Khalil Mazraawi/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Jordanian soldiers keep watch in the capital Amman as Jordan takes measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Jordan has sealed off its second biggest city and the surrounding province after dozens of guests at a wedding held two weeks ago tested positive for the coronavirus.

Army vehicles drove through the streets of Irbid, about 60 miles north of Amman, Thursday night telling people their city of 2 million was now effectively under military control and not to leave their homes.

Security forces deployed along entrances to the province to prevent people from going in or out, blocking even those with permits that had exempted them from a travel ban. The government said it would arrange delivery of food and water.

Jordan's crisis management center said that 26 of the 40 new coronavirus cases reported on Thursday had been guests at the Irbid wedding. The party was held despite a ban on large gatherings.

The bride's sister, interviewed in the hospital by the Al Arabiya satellite channel, said she had flown in from Canada for the wedding and the guests had not realized the danger. Her 2-year-old son also tested positive for the virus.

Irbid now accounts for at least 70 of the 235 confirmed cases in Jordan, as of Friday.

Health Minister Saad Jaber said in a news briefing Thursday that the rise in cases put Jordan "at a crossroads" in dealing with the pandemic. "We all saw what happened in large countries that had to put patients in [hospital] corridors ... to die. We will not allow this to happen in Jordan," he said.

Jordanian officials have indicated they could further tighten restrictions on movement already among the most stringent in the world. Police have implemented a driving ban for all but essential personnel and have banned most people from leaving their homes. They've impounded cars and arrested violators.

The authorities on Tuesday eased the regulations to allow small neighborhood grocery stores to open for limited hours but have shut down supermarkets and delivery services.

Police said they were readying four new jails for those who repeatedly violated the curfew.

Read more:

A Wedding In Jordan Leads To A Coronavirus Cluster And Closure Of A Major City - NPR

As the number of registered cases of Covid-19 continues to grow in Jordan, and with five deaths confirmed so far, rigorous measures have been implemented to contain the outbreak.

AS OF 2ND APRIL THERE WERE 278 CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 IN JORDAN WITH 5 DEATHS AND 36 RECOVERIES.

In a country that has already experienced an influx of refugees, the epidemic puts increased pressure on an already overlburned healthcare system. In Jordan, refugees are among the most vulnerable populations, as they often face difficulties accessing adequate healthcare.

ACTED has a long-standing presence in Zaatari refugee camp, which hosts 76,000 Syrian refugees, and King Abdullah Park Refugee Camp, which houses over 500 Palestinian refugees. Between 8th 12th March, 2020, ACTED initiated a Covid-19 preparedness campaign in both camps, organizing awareness raising sessions on personal hygiene and handwashing etiquette, reaching over 6,700 camp residents directly. Moreover, in King Abdullah Park, ACTED distributed 515 soap bars, one for each camp resident.

On 21st March, Jordan imposed a nation-wide lockdown, with everyone restricted to their households except for essential needs, in the hope of preventing further infections. With access to the refugee camps restricted, ACTED continues to inform camp residents on updates and key hygiene messages, through the use of WhatsApp instead of personal visits or awareness sessions.

These initial measures urgently need to be supplemented in order to increase preparedness and response capacities in Jordan. ACTED is planning a major scale-up of its Covid-19 activities to this end in the weeks and months to come

See the article here:

Minimizing the spread in Jordan's Camps - Jordan - ReliefWeb

You love baseball. Tim Kurkjian loves baseball. So while we await its return, every day we'll provide you with a story or two tied to this date in baseball history.

ON THIS DATE IN 1994, Michael Jordan was assigned to the Double-A Birmingham Barons.

This began a fascinating year in baseball and a lifelong relationship with manager Terry Francona.

History tells us that Jordan failed at baseball. Quite the contrary. He was an average high school player who spent 16 years away from the hardest game to play, then tried to play it at the Double-A level.

The full "On this date ..." archive

I quoted more than one major league player who thought Jordan would hit .050 at Double-A. Instead, he willed himself to hit .203 with 51 RBIs and 30 steals. When he went back to basketball after one season, he acknowledged that every player on his team was stronger from the tip of the fingers to the elbow -- that's baseball strength -- than he was.

"No one was more competitive,'' Francona said. "So we come home from a road trip and we park next to a basketball court, and a bunch of guys start hooting at Michael to play. Finally, he'd had enough. He told four of his coaches, including me, 'We're playing!' I said no. I was in charge of him, I couldn't let him get hurt. They would have fired me if he got hurt. So the first time down the court, I set a pick for him. He screams at me, 'Get the hell out of the way! I don't need a pick!' Then he goes and dunks on this guy. Another guy starts chirping. Michael dunks on him too and literally bends the rim. Then he stands over the top of him, screaming at him. I jumped in. 'OK, that's it, this game is over!'''

Francona continued: "We'd play Yahtzee on every road trip on the bus [the Jordan Cruiser]. He's the richest man in America, the best basketball player ever, and I'm making $29,000 a year. And he's cheating at Yahtzee to take my money because he just can't bear to lose.''

In 1982, I saw Al Oliver, a great hitter, at the All-Star Game in Montreal. He was hitting .321 with a .919 OPS at the break. I asked him how the first half had gone. "I've had 75 line drives caught,'' he said.

In 2008, a statue of Cubs great Ernie Banks was displayed outside Wrigley Field. The sculptor wrote on the statue "Lets Play Two" instead of "Let's Play Two."

In 1998, Craig Biggio grounded into a double play in his second at-bat of the season. The previous season, he became the only player to qualify for the batting title and not ground into a double play all season.

In 2014, coach Don Baylor, one of the strongest men ever to play, broke his femur after moving awkwardly while catching a ceremonial first pitch. Baylor was hit by a pitch 267 times in his career. I asked him which one hurt the most. He said: "None of them.''

Read the original:

Tim Kurkjian's baseball fix - When Michael Jordan went to the minors and cheated at Yahtzee - ESPN

The short-lived romance between Jules Daoud and Jordan Verroi may have put them both on the chopping block at the Summer House.

Daoud tried to make a romance happen with Verroi but he shared behind her back with the crew that he just wasnt that into her. Now that theres tension, what could happen? Verroi was a full-time cast member on the show last season. He only returned as Daouds guest. So is he trying to get her bounced to retrieve his spot in the house?

Meanwhile, Daoud was invited to be part of the house this summer. If shes done with Verroi, shouldnt she be in the position to ask him to leave? Or does the cast want to wash their hands of both of them?

The cast assembles without Verroi and Daoud to discuss their status at the house. Lets have a serious house talk, Paige DeSorbo says in a whisper. I feel like Jordans trying to get Jules out. And I feel like Jules wants to get Jordan out.

Kyle Cooke agrees, saying the situation is awkward. Meanwhile, Carl Radke lays on a bed seemingly uninterested in the discussion. Daoud is downstairs unaware of the discussion going on in a bedroom. I thought we were supposed to have a dinner, what happened here, she wonders to Danielle Olivera. Verroi sits outside alone and comes back inside the house.

Five weeks ago, you go, Im gonna bring her home to mom,' Cooke recalls Verroi telling the group. Now theyre fighting over whos in the house? Amanda Batula reminds Cooke to keep his voice down. I know, I would have been a horrible librarian, he says which sends the group into gales of laughter.

Carl Radke insists Daoud and Verroi need to work it out. Like its disrespectful to us that they cant look at the bigger picture, he says. DeSorbo says that they should tell Daoud and Verroi if they cant figure it out on their own, they need to alternate weekends at the house.

Hannah Berner notes that Radke and Lindsay Hubbard were fighting and no one suggested someone gets kicked out. But Cooke reminds her that Hubbard and Radke werent trying to get each other booted either. Theyre already trying to f**king like get us to choose a side, he says. Guess what? No side, see ya tomorrow.

Berner says she feels stuck in the middle. She was the one who invited Daoud to come to the house this summer. When Im originally Jordans friend, she says. I know you hate Jordan, but hes my little crazy weirdo friend. And I will always love him. He does bring good energy. When he comes to the house you guys get really excited.

Berner continues to defend Verroi. I think Jules is insecure, she says. And wants to be liked by everyone. Cooke pipes in asking if anyone in the house has connected with Daoud.

Crickets, until DeSorbo says, I feel like I have, she says raising her hand. Ive hung out with Jules like one on one. And we connect on like, everyday s**t. Luke Gulbranson jokes, Instagram? DeSorbo adds that even though they havent gotten any deeper, there hasnt been any opportunity either.

So how do they vote? If it was up to Radke, they both would leave. Cooke joins in with the notion that both should leave. And they are getting kicked out that night too.

Do they go through with it? Summer House airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Bravo.

Read more here:

'Summer House': Jordan and Jules' Fallout Put Them on the Chopping Block - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love continues to create buzz as we barrel towards the 2020 NFL Draft later this month.

Love combines tantalizing skills with a big arm and athletic ability and can make plays in and out of the structure of the offense. His inconsistent play in 2019, surrounded by lesser weaponry, however, could give teams pause to pull the trigger on the quarterback early in the first round.

With the NFL lockdown in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams continue to do groundwork on the young signal-caller.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts have been in contact with Love via FaceTime and other virtual methods, per a source informed of the meetings.

With Love projected to go anywhere from the top-10 through the back half of the first round, the bounty of teams speaking with the quarterback isn't a surprise.

The Packers (pick 30) and Saints (pick 24) are in search of potential long-term solutions at the position behind two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, respectively. Each could offer Love the chance to learn from a veteran for a year or two -- ala Patrick Mahomes or Rodgers himself -- to refine his raw skill set. Many scouts believe Love would benefit from a year of seasoning before being tossed into the fire.

Love previously met with the Dolphins (picks 5, 18, 26) before the NFL shuttered pre-draft visits. The virtual follow-up meeting with the quarterback typifies the length teams go to scout and get to know quarterbacks. If Miami doesn't snag the quarterback they desire in the top-5, they could make a play for a signal-caller like Love later in the first-round.

The Raiders (picks 12, 19) continue to do their due diligence on quarterbacks despite having starter Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota on the roster. The Vegas brass already had a video call with Oregon's Justin Herbert. GM Mike Mayock has consistently said he'd consider drafting a quarterback if it presented a potential upgrade. Meeting Love and Herbert continues that trend. If either fall to the Raiders, would coach Jon Gruden stump for a potential future face of the franchise?

The Chargers (pick 6) seem destined to draft a signal-caller high in the draft with veteran Tyrod Taylor the only viable option at this point. L.A. also previously virtually met with Herbert.

The Colts could be an interesting option for Love with Phillip Rivers signing just a one-year deal in Indy and backup Jacoby Brissett also a free agent after 2020. In Indianapolis, Love would have the potential to sit for a season as the Colts see how much Rivers has left in the tank. Without a first-round pick, Indy could jump back into the first round if Love falls to the later stages (as the Ravens did to land Lamar Jackson). GM Chris Ballard could also be doing his due diligence in case Love drops out of the first-round altogether, with the Colts sitting at No. 34 overall.

Given the broad range of where Love could land, it's unsurprising a cornucopia of teams is checking in on the Utah State product. The most important position in sports necessitates deep dives to ensure every effort to select the right player. With that in mind, it wouldn't be a shock if additional teams put Love on their FaceTime schedules in the coming weeks.

Visit link:

Pack, Saints among teams virtually visiting Love - NFL.com

There was this one play during Michael Jordans last days in the NBA, while he was part of the Washington Wizards, where Kobe Bryant tried to attack him, with Jordan getting the foul, teasing Kobe while on the floor.

Several years after that, we finally know what was said between the two legends. It was all laughs between them, but what we didnt know was that MJ actually trash-talked Kobe during that sequence. According to actor John Cusack, who witnessed the play very closely, Jordan told Kobe he wasnt going to pass anyway.

Everyone cleared out so Kobe could have MJ one on one -MJ took the charge / won the battle they paused a beat , looking at each other wryly well the whole fucking building knew you werent gonna pass mj said and they both burst out laughing ..:), he wrote on Twitter.

Jordan and Bryant had a great relationship, with the former even calling Bryant his little brother during his memorial service last February. You could see they were just great during that play, showing the love and respect they had for each other.

Mike would retire after two seasons with the Wizards, having good matchups against Kobe, who scored 55 against him in his last duel.

KB24 tragically passed away last January 26 in a helicopter crash, shocking the NBA and the world of sports in general. Jordan was one of the most outspoken people when that happened, showing how much he loved Kobe.

See original here:

When Kobe Runs Over Michael Jordan, Jordan Said: Well The Whole F*****g Building Knew You Weren't Gonna Pass' And They Both Burst Out Laughing -...

Amid the COVD-19 pandemic, all of America is stuck spending their afternoons at home for the foreseeable future. Per the resounding request of fans, ESPN made the whole ordeal a little bit easier by announcing that the upcoming Michael Jordan Documentary The Last Dance would be moved up to April 19th.

No doubt, the sports world is excited to get a behind-the-scenes look at that iconic Bulls team. But its also rather heartbreaking because of someone who will be making an appearance during the program: the late Kobe Bean Bryant.

In an exclusive trailer, Bryant is announced as one of the guests who appeared on the show. Its his first appearance since his death in January.

Obviously, we know that Kobe had profound respect for Jordan. In fact, he implemented many of the moves used by the Chicago legend into his own game. He had that same drive and passion for the game that Jordan did. To this day, Kobe Bean is considered by many to be the closest player to Jordan weve ever seen.

One can only imagine what the Mamba had to say about the GOAT and how he impacted the game. Fortunately, we only have to wait a few more days before we get to find out

See the article here:

The Appearance Of Kobe Bryant In Michael Jordan's 'Last Dance' Documentary Is Heartbreaking - Fadeaway World

Once again, levity in the time of quarantine is all too important.

Some folks don't need much to entertain: just themselves, their mother, and to be stuck in the same place as that person indefinitely.

Enter Leslie Jordan: you may recognize him as Beverly Leslie from Will & Grace.

He wants you to know that quarantine doesn't need to keep you down.

Here's how to stay active:

And he empathizes with you.

He knows March was the longest month ever this year.

Afterwards he yell to his mother, whom he is in quarantine with.

He's thinking about learning a language.

Habla Espanol?

And learning some new dances.

So Jordan is definitely keeping himself plenty busy during this isolated time.

Leslie Jordan is inspiring the entire internet to say "same."

Since we are all having to make the best of this quarantine, it's good to know we aren't alone.

Once again, thank goodness for the levity folks like Leslie Jordan are bringing us.

Jordan's book My Trip Down the Pink Carpet is available here.

Jordan's one man show of the same name is available here.

Continue reading here:

'Will & Grace' Actor Leslie Jordan Is Dropping Pure Comedy Gold On Instagram As He Self-Isolates With His Mother - Comic Sands

Dennis Rodman landed in Chicago after an overwhelming stint with the San Antonio Spurs in the middle of the 90s. The power forward wasnt having the best time in the league, but the Bulls took advantage of his character and fierceness on the court to win their second three-peat during that decade.

One of the most curious facts about that team was that Rodman never spoke off the court with the biggest stars of the team, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. During a recent interview with Pardon My Take, Rodman explained why he never approached MJ or Pippen outside of the hardwoods.

Rodman explained he was the piece the team was missing to win again, and that worked for him since he never spoke to Jordan or Pippen off the court.

Michael was the scorer, Scottie was Robin, I was the guy that picked up the slack, all the dirty work. We complimented each other very well, he said.

I was the missing piece and it was funny the fact that we never talked to each other. All the time we talked it was all on the court. Off the court, we never talked to each other. () If you see tape of us playing back in the day, we never really bitched at each other at all. Its more like we were so mad at each other because we couldnt perform that night.

Just like Rodman notes, they didnt need to be the best of friends to perform well on the court. They knew they had to do their respective jobs and that was it. If you want to know how that worked out for them, the trio won three straight titles, making the Bulls the biggest force in the league.

See the original post:

Dennis Rodman Explains Why He Never Spoke To Michael Jordan Off The Court - Fadeaway World

Solar operations and maintenance company Alectris has completed a project to automate asset management activity at a photovoltaic plant in Jordan.

Alectris implemented the initiative at the 11.5MW facility with MASE, a solar O&M provider in the Middle East.

The partnership between Alectris and MASE aims to automate and standardise asset management activity across new solar projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

As solar development has increased in the MENA region, O&M and asset management has struggled to keep pace, limiting long-term productivity prospects, said Alectris.

The partnership began in 2016 with MASE responsible for field operations and maintenance services on location, while Alectris provided operations and legacy expertise in global asset care.

Working together, both businesses successfully improved the bankability of the project, which was financed by key development finance institutions operating across the region, said Alectris.

The initiative involved the integration of Alectris ACTIS software platform for solar PV plant asset management, with all data monitoring streams gathered under the single platform to improve oversight into project activity.

Alectris managing director Vassilis Papaeconomou said: Solar development in the MENA region offers a significant opportunity to invest in clean energy projects.

But if this market momentum is to be maintained, it is imperative that operating plants offer security and stability of financial returns. By partnering with MASE, weve been jointly able to combine the latest in asset management software with leading experience in services activity.

This will ensure that project owners and investors benefit from enhanced and efficient performance reporting and operational management, saving time, reducing costs and ensuring the plant delivers at its optimum. As a result, the plant delivered above expectations with an excellent performance ratio and availability close to 100% over the last three years.

MASE chief executive Tareq Khalifeh added: Throughout this collaboration, Alectris have proved to be reliable, dedicated and experienced with a wealth of knowledge that has been indispensable when working in an exciting but challenging market.

Original post:

Software initiative boosts Jordan solar farm output - reNEWS

The streets of Jordan's capital of Amman are seen empty after the start of a nationwide curfew on Saturday amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Raad Adayleh/AP hide caption

The streets of Jordan's capital of Amman are seen empty after the start of a nationwide curfew on Saturday amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

The country of Jordan has implemented one of the strictest lockdowns in the world to stop the spread of the coronavirus, forcing most people to stay indoors and temporarily shutting down even grocery stores and pharmacies.

The Middle Eastern country with its 10 million residents has so far arrested more than 1,600 people for breaking the five-day-old curfew, which bans even going for walks or allowing pets outdoors.

After three days of complete lockdown, the government has commandeered city buses to deliver bread and other essentials directly to neighborhoods. It had considered ensuring distribution of cigarettes to smokers in a country with one of the highest smoking rates in the world.

On Tuesday, Jordan began allowing a limited reopening of small grocery stores for those between ages 16 and 60. It kept a ban on driving. Security forces say they have impounded more than 600 cars for breaching the ban.

The strict measures were taken after a less-severe curfew imposed the previous week was widely flouted, with some Jordanians continuing to hold weddings and other large gatherings.

"Especially in countries without very much intervention, the infection rate can rise really very fast," says Dr. Najwa Khuri-Bulos, an infectious disease specialist and adviser to Jordan's Ministry of Health. "There is a window period where you can interfere effectively. Hopefully doing these kinds of very strict measures will make it manageable."

As of Wednesday, the kingdom has 153 current confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, and the number has been rising steadily but slowly.

Jordan also hosts more than 600,000 Syrian refugees, and the global pandemic had sparked fears that the country's medical care system would be very quickly overloaded.

Last week, the country started placing arriving travelers, including Jordanians, in mandatory 14-day quarantine. About 5,000 people have been quarantined in hotels in the capital of Amman and the Dead Sea. Shortly after, it stopped all incoming and outgoing commercial flights.

The shutdown has had severe economic repercussions in the already poor country.

"Nobody is in denial about the potential economic cost of the shutdown, but authorities perhaps believe that this cost is to be paid 10 times down the line if the virus spreads further. So the main goal is to reduce the human toll," says Nasser bin Nasser, director of the Amman-based Middle East Scientific Institute for Security.

Bin Nasser says most Jordanians seem to be accepting the restrictions. "Maybe in the U.S. or other libertarian societies where freedom of movement is so ingrained in the national psyche this would be harder," he says.

Read the original here:

Jordan Keeps Coronavirus In Check With One Of The World's Strictest Lockdowns - NPR

Do you draft the best player available, or according to your team needs? The Portland Trail Blazers went with the second approach and made the greatest mistake in NBA draft history. After the Rockets picked Olajuwon with the no.1 pick in the 1984 draft, the Blazers were choosing between Sam Bowie and Michael Jordan. They went for Bowie, as they already had Clyde Drexler and Jim Paxson taking care of the perimeter. Chicago is eternally grateful.

Sometimes that approach makes sense. One of the mistakes the 76ers made in the process was drafting Nerlens Noel in 2013, Joel Embiid in 2014, and Jahlil Okafor in 2015. Theres no way to develop all three, give them playing time, and get appropriate value in a later trade. Especially if youre Portland and already have your guy in Clyde Drexler. Youre not thinking about getting the best guy; you think you already have him. Portland was looking for someone to support Drexlers team.

Well, you dont think about positional fit when a perennial All-Star is available, and even at the time of the Draft, a lot of people knew that Jordan would be more than that. Back in those days, there was no one-and-done. MJ spent three years playing for Dean Smith and made his mark on the college level. During his three seasons with the Tar Heels, Jordan averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting. MJ did more than collect stats he made the game-winning jump shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game against Georgetown, which was led by future NBA rival Patrick Ewing. All that was enough for coach Knight to make a bold statement before MJ ever set foot on an NBA court.

If I were going to pick three or four best athletes Ive ever seen play basketball, hed be one of them. I think hes the best athlete Ive ever seen play basketball, bar none. If I were going to pick people with the best ability Ive ever seen play the game, hed be one of them. If I wanted to pick one of the best competitors, hed be one of them. Hes the best athlete, hes one of the best competitors, hes one of the most skilled players, and that to me makes him the best basketball player Ive ever seen play.

When Bobby Knight says something like that about a player, and hes on the board, you select that player in a heartbeat. The Blazers werent convinced, so they reached out to Knight and shared their positional concern with him. They needed a center, and Bob Knight made his position very clear.

Play him [Jordan] at center, and he will be the best center in the league.

One more thing we need to address. Portland gets all the criticism for missing out on Jordan, but theres another team that should get at least equal grief for it that would be the Pacers of Indiana. They traded the no.2 to Portland. Who did they want so much that hey gave away the chance to get MJ? Tom Owens, yet another center.Owens was so dominant in Indiana, averaging 10.5 points and 5 rebounds, that the Pacers traded him the very next summer for a secondround pick.

We could say wing players are treated the same way these days. Every wing player has 3-and-D potential these days, and significantly more talented big men are dropping in demand because of the modern era trend. Thats how you get Nikola Jokic at 41.

Go here to see the original:

Bob Knight to the Blazers: Draft Jordan and play him at center - Basketball Network

AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said on Tuesday the government would allow people to go on foot to buy groceries in neighbourhood shops to ease daily life for the nearly 10 million inhabitants under a tight curfew to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The curfew was imposed on Saturday after King Abdullah enacted an emergency decree giving the government sweeping powers to enforce an army-imposed curfew and other measures that restrict civil and political liberties. The government justified the severe restrictions by saying that many people had flouted calls to stay at home, risking the fast spread of the virus.

Shops, bakeries and even pharmacies have since closed in a complete lockdown of businesses and commercial activity, and the army, which was deployed on streets across the country, warned that anyone leaving their homes would face up to a year in jail.

Razzaz said that as of Wednesday people would be allowed to leave their homes from 10 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. to walk to corner shops, groceries, bakeries and pharmacies.

I understand the worry and anxiety. ... The curfew is not a natural state that we have ever experienced before and reflects negatively and psychologically on us, Razazz said.

Large supermarkets will reopen on Thursday to sell goods online and to be home-delivered, also to avoid crowding in public places, Razzaz said in a briefing.

Razzaz warned any stampede or rush in any shops would prompt immediate closure. He said the ban on private vehicles would be maintained.

Either there is discipline or we will close shops that we see congestion, he said.

Jordan a week ago closed land and sea border crossings with Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Israel, and suspended all incoming and outgoing flights.

The government brought in public transport buses on Tuesday to help bakeries sell bread in residential neighbourhoods across the country. But panic buying in some inner city areas erupted as people rushed from their homes for bread, which many Jordanians consume as a daily staple food item, witnesses said.

Health Minister Saad Jaber said on Tuesday that confirmed cases of the virus jumped to 153, with 26 new cases in the biggest daily rise since numbers began to steadily grow last week. There have been no deaths.

Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Leslie Adler

See the original post here:

Jordan eases nationwide curfew and allows shops to open - Reuters

. Image Credit: Reuters

Dubai: Jordan has registered the first caesarean delivery for a woman infected with coronavirus, Jordans News Agency Petra reported.

King Abdullah II called female doctor Laila Al Zoghoul who conducted the caesarean surgery and congratulated her on the success of the operation.

The Jordanian monarch and Queen Rania Al Abdullah also called the woman and congratulated her. The woman and her new-born baby girl are in good health condition.

Laboratory coronavirus tests proved negative for the baby girl, who has been isolated from the mother.

The surgery was conducted at the King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, northern Jordan, which has been placed under complete lockdown since Thursday due to the high number of COVID-19 infections.

A video clip showing the doctor while talking over the phone to Jordans king and Queen Rania has gone viral on social media platforms.

King Abdullah extended his thanks to medical staff for their relentless efforts to deal with COVID-19 infections.

laboratory tests for the infant confirmed that she is free of the COVID-19 infection, explaining that studies show that the virus is not transmitted through breastfeeding but through touch and breathing, Dr. Laila said.

She said that the surgery was conducted after taking the necessary precautions in the presence of all specialised medical teams in the hospital, including anesthesiologists, pediatricians and specialists in internal medicine and infectious diseases as well as anesthesia technicians and nursing staff.

According to a recent study published in The Lancet, a weekly British medical journal, coronavirus does not transmit from a COVID-19-infected mother to her fetus through the placenta during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Two days ago, Jordan registered the first death from Coronavirus. The 83-year-old woman suffered from blood poisoning and other health problems before contracting the virus. She had been transferred from a private hospital to Prince Hamzah Hospital, where she died from the coronavirus, Petra said.

Jordan recorded 11 cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 246, Health Minister Saad Jaber said during a press briefing. No updated yet on Sunday.

Go here to see the original:

Jordan reports first caesarean delivery for woman infected with coronavirus - Gulf News

Well, we made it through free agency and all the speculation about the Raiders signing a veteran starting quarterback.

Now, after adding Marcus Mariota as a high-paid backup to Derek Carr, the quarterback speculation is turning to the top of the draft.

Our Kenny Arthur just detailed the Raiders pre-draft FaceTime meeting with Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert.

While we digest the meaning of that, talk is heating up about the Raiders having interest in Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. said he is starting to think the Raiders may take Love at No. 12 if hes available. Jordan is generally considered the fourth best quarterback available behind LSUs Joe Burrow, Alabamas Tua Tagovailoa and Herbert. Still, there is no certainty Love would be available for the Raiders at No. 12 if they wanted to take him.

Kiper isnt the only national draft expert making the Love-Raiders connection. So, is Bleacher Reports Matt Miller.

He quoted a scout who knows Jon Gruden as saying this:

What should we make of all this quarterback draft talk?

I think it just goes with the Gruden territory. People are going to say and write that Gruden wants to find a Carr replacement until it finally happens, whenever that may be

Do I think the Raiders will take a quarterback in the first round? No, I dont, but I never say never. Anything is possible.

The fact that the Raiders are talking to Herbert may simply be due diligence or it may mean the Raiders are interested. Remember, the Raiders spent time with Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins last year before the draft.

Gruden and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock love quarterbacks. They are going to study them closely.

So, thats why all of these rumors are persisting. It doesnt mean they are actually going to draft Love or Herbert, though.

Follow this link:

Utah State QB Jordan Love being connected to Raiders in NFL draft - Silver And Black Pride

The quarantine law says anyone caught outside will be jailed for up to a year. The car is parked on the street outside, with a box of water in the boot. Do you risk it?

Such have been the sort of dilemmas facing people in Jordan since Saturday morning, when the Middle Eastern kingdom introduced one of the most stringent anti-coronavirus regimes in the world.

It was announced at 7am by rounds of air-raid sirens: every person in the country indefinitely confined to their homes. No grocery shopping. No trips to pharmacies. Not even a walk around the block. Those with medical emergencies could call the authorities, but anyone caught outside would be arrested. More than 800 people have been picked up so far, the military says.

Videos circulating on social media show army Humvees patrolling Ammans beige streets. Another clip showed a veiled woman who parked her car in the middle of an empty street and danced to the music blaring from her stereo. Local media reported later reported her arrest.

Jordan has undergone the same whiplash-inducing shift to a new era as other countries. Nine days ago, cafes were full, tourist sites were open and just person had tested for the virus, and recovered.

In a cascade over the next days, flights were cancelled, Jordans airport closed, the borders of Amman sealed, non-essential businesses shut and, finally, everyone ordered to stay home.

The curfew, imposed because people were flouting the governments plaintive requests to stay home of their own volition, was announced at 3pm on the day before it came into force, triggering an immediate run on bakeries and supermarkets. In the hours before people would be isolated from each other for their protection, they were pressed shoulder-to-shoulder buying bread and milk.

On Monday, a government spokesman told Jordanians the curfew would extend for weeks, and they should make do with the basics until then. An unprecedented scheme for delivering bread, water and pharmaceuticals to the population of 10 million is being trialled from Tuesday, though how it will work is still unclear. Ministers have already warned citizens to get used to the absence of luxuries.

Possible problems abound. Will there be enough workers or cars to deliver on what is sure to be enormous demand? Will farmers and distributors be allowed out to keep the food system running? And what happens when people run out of cash?

For my circle, the toll of the curfew so far has been an accumulation of small inconveniences. The elaborate meals we planned to cook during isolation have been pared back. Supplies of hay fever medicine in our house have dwindled to a single pill. A friend with two dogs cant walk either of them but says they are entertaining each other, for now.

But Jordan has shouldered far more than its fair share of refugees from across the region. On farms, in the poorer quarters of cities and in sprawling camps, more than 650,000 Syrians are also confined to their homes. There are few more resilient communities in the world, but most cannot afford to stockpile food for weeks.

Those who can look after themselves are looking after themselves, Ahmed, a Syrian who fled to Jordan from the city of Hama, said last week. Those who dont have food, dont.

The gamble is that a few weeks of difficulty might spare Jordan the horror that Italy, Iran and others are experiencing. Jordan has 112 coronavirus cases so far, with all but one said to be in good condition. The countrys health system is ranked by the World Health Organization as one of the least prepared in the region to fight a pandemic. The government had to act fast, and drastically.

If those who are confirmed to be sick are properly treated; if asymptomatic cases are confined long enough for the virus to work its way through them, their households and environments; if authorities can keep people satisfied long enough so that they adhere to the rules; and if the borders remain closed, preventing new cases from entering Jordan could avoid the worst.

Four big ifs. On Monday night, the third day of the curfew, Jordanians gathered on their balconies to sing and cheer in solidarity with each other and health workers. It is to be a nightly ritual. Over the next weeks, it will convey the public mood.

Read the original:

Home deliveries and Humvees: life under Jordans harsh virus lockdown - The Guardian

It didn't take long for former Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker to find a new NFL home with the Carolina Panthers, but he wasn't the only XFL signal caller to be picked up on Monday. According to his agent, Kenny Zuckerman, former St. Louis BattleHawks quarterback Jordan Ta'amu has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ta'amu led the BattleHawks to a 3-2 record and finished the shortened inaugural season third in passing with 1,050 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Ta'amu established himself as one of the XFL's best right from season opener, as he led the BattleHawks to a 15-9 victory over the Dallas Renegades -- who were the early favorites to win the league. Ta'amu completed 74 percent of his passes for 209 yards and one touchdown in the victory, and also rushed nine times for a total of 77 yards. It was a performance that made him a finalist for the XFL's first "Star of the Week" award.

The Ole Miss product broke the all-time school record for 400-yard passing games during his time in Oxford, and finished his career ranking sixth all-time in program history with 5,600 passing yards. During his senior season in 2018, he also rushed for 342 yards and six touchdowns.

Ta'amu ended up going undrafted in 2019, but got a chance with the Houston Texans and passed for 50 yards and one interception in three preseason games. He was released ahead of the regular season.

Ta'amu is expected to have an opportunity to battle Kyle Shurmur andChad Henne for the right to back up starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. While Ta'amu clearly was not picked up to be a starter, the Chiefs recognized his ability and potential during his five XFL games, and they are going to give him the opportunity to battle for a roster spot.

Link:

Chiefs sign former St. Louis BattleHawks quarterback Jordan Ta'amu after successful XFL season - CBS Sports

Each debut surprisingly better than the last, the Jordan Westbrook One Take the ostensible budget-friendly alternate to the athletes Why Not Zer0.3 flagship is currently on track to be Russell Westbrooks most popular silhouette. Once holding claim over the top spots on the site, the pairs Black/Cement and versatile Triple White colorways have refined a roster yet to release, and today marks the unveil of yet another though it colors in much more bold than any of the aforementioned. Rather than dressed with neutrals or anything heritage-inspired, the pair prefers a coat of Volt dye, adding it to the mesh at the toe box and profile as well as the molds along its tooling; tongues, in slight departure, prefer a much darker green to better complement the black accents that seat adjacent. Grab a detailed look at this latest One Take right here and expect a release at Nike.com surely within the coming months if COVID-19 will allow it.

In other news, an Air Command Force LeBron 17 Hybrid is on the way.

Jordan Westbrook One Take VoltStyle Code: CJ0780-103

Go here to read the rest:

The Jordan Westbrook One Take Dresses Up In A Volt And Black Colorway - Sneaker News

While we wont have the opportunity to watch Russell Westbrook perform on the floor in the foreseeable future, we can still keep track of the NBA All-Star through his upcoming footwear releases. Recently, the Houston Rockets point guard took a moment to divert our attention away from his Why Not Zer0.3 signature, and instead introduced us to a new sibling model that hes added to his arsenal: the Jordan Westbrook One Take. Last seen showing face in a clean white and silver blend, the more minimalistic design is transitioning towards retro-inspired territories for a new makeover reminiscent of the iconic Black Cement 3s. A large portion of base is swathed in black that deviate between its mesh, and patent leather fabrications, while supporting accents of grey touch onto the treading, tongues, and upper overlays. Lastly, sprinkles of red make their way onto the sock liners and exterior stitchings that subtly nod to its muse. Grab a closer look here, and find them releasing soon on Nike.com and at select retailers.

In other news, the Air Jordan 12 Reverse Flu Game is expected drop in December.

Jordan Westbrook One TakeStyle Code: CJ0780-001

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

Where to Buy

Read more from the original source:

The Jordan Westbrook One Take Gets The Black/Cement Treatment - Sneaker News

The 2020 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin in roughly one month and Los Angeles Chargers fans are busy discussing who the team should take with the sixth overall pick. Should it be a quarterback? An offensive tackle? A linebacker?

One draft prospect who has generated a lot of buzz among Chargers fans who favor a quarterback is former Utah State Aggie quarterback Jordan Love. Many believe he should be the pick at #6, and others have gone so far as to say Love is the best quarterback in this class.

Let me start this by saying Jordan Love is not the best quarterback in this class. Not by a long shot. Im not even convinced hes the third best quarterback in this class. Is he interesting? Sure. Does he have some enticing physical talents? Absolutely. But Im not sure I agree with the notion that he has the highest ceiling in this class, and I definitely want no part of him at #6. Frankly, Im not even sure Id take him in the first round.

Lets take a look at Jordan Love as a prospect:

Love has the frame (64, 224 pounds) scouts love in quarterbacks, which he couples with one of the two strongest arms in this class (Justin Herbert). Hes also extremely athletic and capable of throwing the ball accurately on the run from multiple platforms. He can extend and create with his legs and is arguably at his best when things break down around him. He is a playmaker and he is fun to watch.

If I had to pick one trait, or skill, that sets Love apart from the rest of the class, its his arm talent. His ability to throw with touch and fit the ball into tight windows is impressive, to say the least. His ball placement is somewhat erratic, but the arm strength and ability to layer throws definitely shows up on film. While its what makes him fun to watch, its also what is leading people to unfairly compare him to Patrick Mahomes, which is ultimately skewing evaluations.

Where the evaluation starts to go sideways, at least for me, is his decision-making. What I saw was a junior quarterback who, quite frankly, never diagnosed zone coverages. I thought defenses adjusted to what he did in 2018 by dropping linebackers into intermediate and deep zones in anticipation of Loves desire to attack the middle of the field. Unfortunately, Love never made any adjustments to counter the defensive adjustments made by the opposition.

The result? Interceptions. Lots and lots of interceptions thrown into crowds of defenders.

Jordan Loves supporters will be quick to tell you he struggled in 2019 due to a lack of talent. While its true that Love wasnt blessed with the multitude of weapons that Tua Tagovailoa or Joe Burrows had, he did have Saiosi Mariner post 63/987/10 as a graduate transfer and three other receivers post 35+ receptions for 430+ yards. That trio included Jordan Nathan, who saw his receptions, yards and yards per catch double from 2018 to 2019. He had people to throw to.

Its a cop-out to blame his interceptions on a lack of talent.

In my opinion, Jordan Loves film tells the story of a quarterback who simply didnt see the field well in 2019. The junior quarterback failed to diagnose zone coverages, stared down receivers, held the ball too long, and forced the ball into crowds of defenders. He also struggled with timing and appeared to try to out-throw coverages at times.

As a three-year starter, Jordan should be more advanced with his reads pre-snap, or otherwise. He shouldnt be missing zone coverages on a regular basis, and he should definitely be past the point of holding the ball and trying to out-throw coverages. The fact that Love still struggles with these things suggests he probably wasnt asked to decipher coverages or get through more than a couple progressions, and that just means more work for the team that drafts him.

There were two reads/throws in particular that consistently gave him issues in 2019. The first was failing to read or anticipate zone coverages. He repeatedly made this mistake on film, with the end result being turnovers. The second was a tendency to aim and telegraph balls when throwing intermediate and deep outs, rather than driving them home. He threw several picks on these throws, as well.

The issue with deep outs is more of an execution issue in my eyes, and one that can be fixed with improved timing and anticipation. The issue with zone coverages is a bigger problem because it should be a basic read for any quarterback, and yet he failed to make the adjustment. Love is predictable in his tendencies and either didnt identify coverages at the line, didnt see the defenders dropping into his passing windows, or just ignored them.

While all young quarterbacks are something of a project, I think Jordan Love is more of a project than some care to admit. Whether theyre trying to be different, are placing a little too much emphasis on his arm strength, or just arent seeing the diagnostic issues; there is much work to be done there. Thats why I dont see Jordan Love as a viable option with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 Draft.

Id much rather see the Chargers, who just finished rebuilding the right side of their offensive line, make an aggressive play for the Lions third overall pick to select a certain left-handed quarterback, but thats another article for another day

Read the original:

Chargers Draft: Is Jordan Love an option for the Chargers at #6? - Bolts From The Blue